IT WAS an August Bank Holiday weekend of mixed fortunes in Llandudno because while many hotels and guest houses were full, others displayed vacancies signs.

And while several retailers said that generally trade was good, the consensus of opinion seems to be that the bad weather put a bit of a dampener on trade.

And Simon Mason, manager of one of the resort’s biggest tourist attractions, the pier, said that visitors hadn’t spent as much as in 2011.

“We seem to be getting more families coming to the town but they seem to be careful about how they spend money,” he said.

“I’ve heard people outside the amusement arcade telling their children they can’t go in because they can’t afford it, and while our food outlets have been busy people seem to be going for the cheaper options on the menu.”

Carol Long, of the Queen Victoria pub and restaurant in Church Walks, said she felt the town needed more attractions for families when the weather is bad and she was disappointed no special Bank Holiday events had been organised to draw in the crowds.

“It wasn’t a bad weekend for us but the poor weather did mean people were not really in a holiday mood.

“If there had been some sort of special event on, that might have brought the crowds in,” she commented.

Sam Nayar, of Escape boutique guest house in Church Walks, said it had been fully booked for the weekend.

“We have received quite a lot of national publicity and I think that helps,” he commented.

Business at the resort’s Victoria Centre in Mostyn Street was good, said manager Sue Nash, with several of the retailers saying it had exceeded their expectations.

“The car park wasn’t full to capacity, but last week on several days it was, so I think a lot of people came away before the Bank Holiday to avoid the traffic,” she said.

And she reported good news about one of the centre’s empty retail units. From today (Thursday) the former Jumpers store will open as a 3-Mobile phone outlet.

“That means we now have only three empty units and I think that with businesses like Sainsbury’s coming to the town it will encourage other retailers to follow,” she added.

CONWY had a busy Bank Holiday weekend according to chairman of the chamber of trade.

Toby Tunstall, who owns the Knight Shop in the town, commented: “For us it has been a storming weekend, the best of the season so far.

“I’ve also spoken to a few other business owners, and I know the bakery has also been very busy.

“I don’t think so many locals were around, so the shops which rely on locals haven’t done so well, but the more touristy shops have done very good trade.

“Having saying that, because of the poor weather people did go home early on Bank Holiday Monday.”